Assignment 12: Claire Telfer

A commentary on the life of a pencil owned by a high schooler:

I have to say, life's pretty rough right now. It's hard to see the bright side of things when you're in the grasp of a self-centered teenager. I'm worked all the time, and I hardly ever get a decent break. I mean it's the 21st century, I thought everything was supposed to be on the computer by now. But no, some people just like giving work the old-fashioned way. You know every day is different, but test days are the worst. You get manhandled by some clueless kid who's got a sweaty hand that won't stop shaking. The anxious kids drive me crazy. It's not enough that you're drenched in their fluids, but then they start biting pieces out of you, gnawing away at what dignity you have left. It's like you give them everything they need, and they still won't take care of you. You'll get thrown around, dropped, stepped on, then they'll lose you like you're nothing. You get no respect in this job. Sometimes, you think you're finally off for the day after a few hours of rest, but right before you fall asleep late at night, they'll pick you right back up and work until morning. They're lunatics. Honestly, these kids work night and day, and for what? To get told that every kid can have good grades and that's great and all, but where's the extracurriculars, huh? You know whose lives are worse than mine? High schoolers, no contest.